ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the nature and various manifestations of intellectual disabilities, along with its relationship to intellectual disability nursing. It commences by describing in some detail the term intellectual disabilities, along with some of the criteria that are used in determining its presence, and this leads us to define the term. This is sometimes difficult, as the term means different things to different people – not only in the United Kingdom, but also internationally. Furthermore, it will be shown that the term has different meanings between the many health and social care professionals, service agencies and other disciplines involved in supporting people with intellectual disabilities. Next, the chapter outlines some of the important issues surrounding its incidence and prevalence.
